I’m going to try something new. I have noticed an increasing number of Memes and posts on Facebook targeted at non-theists, and I’d like to address these in a friendly way. I want to try to bridge the gap between theist and non-theist. I do this in an effort to help those that are newly disconnected from a church or religion. These folks that have left a church or religion sometimes have a hard time processing and/or refuting claims made in these religious memes and posts. I want to help unpack these so you can be more comfortable and secure in your beliefs.

My intent is for you to use this information on a personal level, rather than to fight back against those that are attacking you. I don’t think it does any good to contribute to the fight. Someone devoted to a faith is unlikely to change when you attack them (or even when you counter their attacks).

My preference is to only point out things that are factually incorrect. A non-theist can’t disprove the existence of god any more than a theist can prove it, so I prefer to stick to the smaller facts. Try to set the example of being a good person and living a just life. This will be more beneficial to all involved than negative and hateful attacks.

With that intro out of the way, I’d like to share my first Facebook post to analyze.

I want to say something about the spirituality debate

I want to say something about the spirituality debate. You don’t believe in God? That’s ok, but why is it so important for many of you to mock those of us that do? If we’re wrong, what have we lost when we die? Nothing! How does our faith in Jesus Christ bring you any harm? You think it makes me stupid? Gullible? Ignorant? That’s ok too. How does that affect you? If you’re wrong your consequence is far worse. I would rather live my life believing in God and serving Him, and find out I was right, than not believe in Him and not serve Him, and find out I was wrong. Then it’s too late.
Ain’t no shame in my game! I believe in Jesus Christ. He said deny me in front of your friends & I will deny you in front of my Father.
Facebook Challenge:
If you’re not ashamed copy & paste it! God is Good!!!!!!
I’m willing to do this…how about you?

A quick read through of this might look like it’s a simple profession of faith. Dig a little deeper though and you’ll see that it’s an attack on non-Christians disguised as a profession of faith. Let’s go through it to see what is being said here and develop a response.

I want to say something about the spirituality debate. This isn’t discussing a spirituality debate, as “spiritual” can imply any religion. This is specifically targeted towards non-Christians, so it’s more of a Christianity debate.

You don’t believe in God? Again, they are speaking of the Christian god, and ignoring the fact that other religions may also believe in a god.

That’s ok, but why is it so important for many of you to mock those of us that do? Mocking comes in different forms. Mocking as I often see it is done is in a comedic sense, much as we see in the political arena with mocking from both sides. Then there is the mocking in a hateful sense, which isn’t good for anyone. As far as why it’s done, I suppose for the same reason people mock various politicians, it’s a way to attack beliefs that differ from our own, as well as a defense against attacks from others. Christianity has a history of imposing their beliefs on others that don’t share those beliefs, and one of the tools to combat this is mocking/comedy.

This article shares some additional thoughts on why people mock religion. http://freethoughtpedia.com/wiki/Why_do_some_atheists_mock_religion%3F (Most of this article contains good info, but when you get to the Q&A about being an a**hole, I completely disagree with that section. There is nothing delusional or mentally retarded about choosing a belief that resonates with you, regardless of what others think.)

If we’re wrong, what have we lost when we die? Nothing! How does our faith in Jesus Christ bring you any harm? At face value, this statement is true. It’s not your faith that brings harm, but the actions taken based on that faith. One example is in the attempts to restrict rights of the LGBT community. Looking back historically, you could also include restricting rights of women and those of other races and beliefs.

You think it makes me stupid? Gullible? Ignorant? That’s ok too. Not necessarily. There are those that might see it that way, but most of us don’t think this at all. People choose religion for numerous reasons, and whether or not everyone agrees with those reasons, they are valid to the individual making the choice to believe in a higher power or join a religion.

How does that affect you? As in the statement above, it can affect others, especially those with differing beliefs. It’s not your beliefs that affect us, it’s only when those beliefs are used to support actions that hurt others that don’t hold those same beliefs.

If you’re wrong your consequence is far worse. I would rather live my life believing in God and serving Him, and find out I was right, than not believe in Him and not serve Him, and find out I was wrong. Then it’s too late.

You are ignoring the fact that there are other religions in our world that have differing views. If you back the wrong religion, your consequences may be the same as for non-believers, and thus you share in the “far worse” consequences. If the Hindus are right, for example, you may end up in Naraka.

This statement –“If you’re wrong your consequence is far worse” — turns this simple profession of faith into an attack on those that don’t share the same beliefs. You are no longer simply defending your beliefs, you are now attacking those that do not share by telling them they are destined for eternal punishment. If you are a Christian sharing this profession of faith on Facebook, I recommend you omit this line. It will make it less offensive and make you appear more humble in your beliefs.

Ain’t no shame in my game! I believe in Jesus Christ. He said deny me in front of your friends & I will deny you in front of my Father. Facebook Challenge:If you’re not ashamed copy & paste it! God is Good!!!!!!I’m willing to do this…how about you?

As with most Facebook posts of this type, they call you to action and imply that if you don’t share it you then are ashamed of your beliefs. It might be better to let the post rest on it’s merits and allow people to share it without the guilt trip.

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